Careers bloghttp://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers
Career tips, insights and industry newsFri, 16 Mar 2018 12:40:47 +0000en-UShourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.4ac/TgxKhttps://feedburner.google.comThe Final Countdown!http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/16/the-final-countdown/
http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/16/the-final-countdown/#respondFri, 16 Mar 2018 12:40:47 +0000http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/?p=77772By Kathryn Moss, Employability Officer, Jubilee Campus With spring term drawing to a close, your thoughts may be turning towards summer and the dawning realisation that there are only 14 weeks until you finish university. Had you already started thinking about your career plans before assignment deadlines loomed large? Maybe you’ve not contemplated life after graduation yet? Whichever camp you’re ...

With spring term drawing to a close, your thoughts may be turning towards summer and the dawning realisation that there are only 14 weeks until you finish university.

Had you already started thinking about your career plans before assignment deadlines loomed large? Maybe you’ve not contemplated life after graduation yet? Whichever camp you’re in, we are here to help.

First of all, it’s not too late to find a graduate job

You haven’t missed the boat; there are still plenty of graduate opportunities out there. Use My Career and the national and regional graduate jobs boards listed on our vacancies webpage to search for companies who are still hiring and think about how your skills fit with the roles on offer.

You may need to think ‘outside the box’ about the type of role or company you research, including different entry routes beyond the graduate scheme route.

Our Graduate Jobs Fair on Monday 11 June 2018 is a great opportunity to meet employers with vacancies to fill.

Don’t forget about SMEs

A lot of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will still be recruiting at this time of year. Believe it or not, there are more opportunities in the UK with SMEs than in larger, better-known businesses and plenty of reasons why this could be a good option for you.

Finding these opportunities may take a little more work because there isn’t one specific place to look for roles. We’ve suggested some sites to use under the direct entry graduate route, where you can also read about Callum’s job-hunting experience.

Apply for a summer or graduate internship

Did you know that you can start your graduate career with an internship? Internships are a really good way to try out a job before you settle into a full graduate role. The Nottingham Internship Scheme is currently offering more than 100 summer opportunities with small businesses and charities in Nottinghamshire and beyond. The deadline for applications is Sunday 22 April.

Why not fill in the expression of interest form and be notified of the graduate internships available in early autumn?

If you have no idea – get some advice

If you have no idea about what you want to do when you graduate, that’s okay. Talk to our knowledgeable, friendly and supportive careers advisers who will help you to generate career ideas and formulate an action plan.

]]>http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/16/the-final-countdown/feed/0100+ Internships Exclusively Available to Nottingham Studentshttp://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/13/nottingham-internship-2018/
http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/13/nottingham-internship-2018/#respondTue, 13 Mar 2018 14:44:00 +0000http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/?p=70221By Chris Colegate, Careers and Employability Placement Consultant The Nottingham Internship Scheme started in 2014. That summer, 22 students joined local companies across Nottinghamshire in a handful of different roles. Four years on and more than 100 students will successfully navigate a real-life recruitment process to work in a local SME, start-up or charity in the summer. While the ...

Will you be the only intern in the company?

Working as an intern can be a daunting prospect. Particularly if you’re in a business where you are the only intern, or the first intern the company has taken on. What’s great about this scheme is that you have the chance to connect with all the other interns who are in the same situation.

If you are are successful, you will take part in pre-internship training together. You will also get to meet again at the midpoint of your internship at a social event organised by us. This is your chance to ask questions of each other, share challenges and success stories. You’ll also get to make friends with other students who are getting their first taste of professional life in Nottingham during the summer.

Where could you be working?

The East Midlands labour market is booming, and the University is constantly working to build links with growing local businesses, and charities. All of the hosts are SMEs (small to medium enterprises). Some may be relatively early stage start-ups and some will be very well established.

You could be working in a team of three or a team of 200. Whichever end of the spectrum you end up, you will get to:

work with senior leaders in the organisation

experience lots of diverse responsibilities

thrive in an environment where your ideas bring real value

How will it help you?

I’ve seen over 250 students secure an internship through this scheme since 2014, and without exception they have all reaped lots of benefits.

Some have been offered a permanent job with that company, while many have used the experience to land their dream job on a graduate scheme. A handful have enjoyed the entrepreneurial lifestyle, going on to set up their own business; others have used the experience to decide that an area of work isn’t for them. Whatever you are looking to get out of an internship, you will find it with the Nottingham Internship Scheme.

This year’s summer vacancies have just gone live, but check out them out soon as you need to apply by the 22 April. You can also attend one of several workshops prior to applying to help you make the very best application. The scheme is quite competitive, so it’s definitely worth getting some advice from one of our expert team.

]]>http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/13/nottingham-internship-2018/feed/0What Do You Want to Do When You Graduate?http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/12/career-influences/
http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/12/career-influences/#respondMon, 12 Mar 2018 12:00:16 +0000http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/?p=76271By Jennifer Balloch, Employability Education Projects Officer: Faculty of Science How did I get from wanting to be a marine biologist to becoming an Employability Education Projects Officer? The link isn’t obvious, and it’s actually why I’m writing this blog. Not so you can read about my career journey, but so you can think of the ...

How did I get from wanting to be a marine biologist to becoming an Employability Education Projects Officer? The link isn’t obvious, and it’s actually why I’m writing this blog. Not so you can read about my career journey, but so you can think of the influences that will affect your own career planning.

Children start to form ideas or fantasies about what their future career will entail. These can be based on numerous beliefs, role models or ideas. They can even be based on popular films or TV programmes. For me, I wanted to be a marine biologist. Why? I’d seen the film Free Willy when I was in primary school, and thought working with orca whales would be pretty cool. However, that’s about as far as that childhood fantasy ever went.

Now you may know exactly what career you want to progress into, you might have a vague idea, or you might still be trying to figure it out. Whatever stage you’re at, it’s fine.

How do you decide what you want to do after graduating?

When you stop to think about what you want to do, there are certain factors that will influence your decision. For instance, what are your skills and abilities? They will play an integral part in the career you decide to do. I’ve learned that one of my particular skills is active listening, so this is something I draw upon in one-to-one appointments.

Previous experience is also influential. As are positive experiences in the workplace. For example, having a role model or mentor may affect whether you choose to stay or leave a work environment.

Another important factor to think is your personality preferences. Where do your interests lie? For example, if you like working with people and are drawn to the routine of an office environment, you probably wouldn’t be best suited to a job as a tree surgeon. Having a good understanding of your self – what your interests are, where your skills and strengths lie and your preferences for particular working environments – and researching what opportunities are available to you, will ultimately help you to decide which career is best suited to you.

So, what does this mean for me?

It’s important to understand that there are lots of choices and influences that have helped you make your decisions to date. Some may be cultural, some may have been role models, and others may be based on your own personal experience. There will also be a lot of other career influences that I have not mentioned in this short blog post.

Booking an appointment with a career adviser will help you make sense of some of these influences. It’s also a great way to start thinking about how to take the next steps in your personal career journey.

]]>http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/12/career-influences/feed/0What You Need To Know About Postgraduate Placements Nottinghamhttp://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/09/postgraduate-placements-nottingham/
http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/09/postgraduate-placements-nottingham/#respondFri, 09 Mar 2018 08:30:05 +0000http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/?p=76081By Debra Fearnshaw, Placements Delivery Manager What is Postgraduate Placements Nottingham (PPN)? PPN is a paid, flexible placement programme for all students and researchers studying masters or PhD courses. Placements are very flexible and usually consist of a 200-hour project worked to fit around your studies over the course of several months. What type of ...

What is Postgraduate Placements Nottingham (PPN)?

PPN is a paid, flexible placement programme for all students and researchers studying masters or PhD courses. Placements are very flexible and usually consist of a 200-hour project worked to fit around your studies over the course of several months.

What type of placements are available? Are they all local?

We have a huge range of placements available and they change every week. Placements are usually with small to medium enterprises (SMEs) and Third Sector/charity organisations. We talk to students and researchers regularly so we try to develop placements which are of interest to them. If you have an idea for a placement, we are happy to work with you to develop that placement.

Most placements are local but some are further afield. Some placements can happen remotely using skype, phone and email to keep in touch. Placement hosts can pay for travel if this is required.

Do I need previous experience?

It really depends on what the placement host is looking for. Some are looking for experience, others are looking for specific skills. We carefully develop the project briefs with the placement host so you can decide if the placement is right for you.

Where do I look for vacancies and how do I apply?

You must register with the portal to apply for placements. Applications are by CV and cover letter.

Is there a best time to look for vacancies?

We operate all year round and advertise placements every week so just keep checking the portal for the latest opportunities.

When would I be working?

Placements are very flexible to suit your study commitments. It is important to discuss these commitments at interview so the placement host understands what is possible. Most people on placement work around 12 hours per week.

Will I be paid?

Yes. All placements are currently paid the rate of £10.30 per hour including holiday pay.

Will I have reviews with my supervisor on placement?

Yes. Your study will continue as normal while you’re on placement.

Is there a chance of a job at the end of the placement?

Most placements are projects with a clear start and end date. There have been examples of people then going on to work full-time with their placement host but this is not the aim of the programme. The main aim is to help people gain and improve their skills while on placement to help inform their future career plans whether within academia or elsewhere.

Check out the PPN blog for stories from placement students about their experience.

]]>http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/09/postgraduate-placements-nottingham/feed/0Key Skills I’ve Learned as a Society Presidenthttp://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/07/key-skills-ive-learned-as-a-society-president/
http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/07/key-skills-ive-learned-as-a-society-president/#respondWed, 07 Mar 2018 08:00:12 +0000http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/?p=66101By Grace Pownall, final year, studying civil engineering After two years on the committee for the civil engineering society, including one as president, the time has come for me to hang up my hard hat and steel-toe-capped boots. Being on a society committee has been big part of my day-to-day life, and a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Not only ...

After two years on the committee for the civil engineering society, including one as president, the time has come for me to hang up my hard hat and steel-toe-capped boots. Being on a society committee has been big part of my day-to-day life, and a thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Not only has it been great fun, but I’ve gained invaluable skills along the way.

Building my confidence

At the beginning of university, I could never have imagined myself doing the things required to run a society. From phoning up companies to negotiating sponsorship deals, and talking in front of groups of parents and students on open days, teenage-me was far too shy to do those things.

However, as progressed from member to president, my confidence grew and grew. Jumping in the deep-end of the pool of responsibility was a great learning experience. I also got to do it with lots of other like-minded students.

Developing management and leadership skills

Being responsible for a society of seven committee members was very daunting at the beginning. Honestly, I had no clue what I was doing! Fortunately, my fellow committee members were as passionate about running a successful society as I was, so together we learned together to do just that. We:

increased membership by over 10%,

participated in a Varsity sports day in Sheffield – transporting 30 students there and back after a night out was the true test!

organised site visits and a trip to London,

and of course, our favourite – annual socials

I’ll admit that I can be both a perfectionist and a bit of a control-freak, but being president forced me to delegate tasks. I learned a lot about sharing responsibilities, so I now have lots of team working examples to talk about in many job interviews to come.

Practising problem-solving

While detailed planning is required for a successful event, students are as unpredictable as the weather, or traffic. Combine all three things, and a whole range of issues can arise. As President, I realised that things will never go to quite to plan. Sometimes it’s better to go with the flow and adapt to the changing situation, rather than worrying and over-planning.

I’ve had a great time interacting with students from my course, and working hard with friends on the committee. Seeing people enjoy themselves at events, and making friends from different years and countries made the hard work worth it. I encourage anyone thinking about getting involved with a society committee to go for it.

Interested in applying for a post? Election season is now! It is closing soon though, so you have about two and half weeks left to apply. Find information about each society here, and consult this directory to browse every ongoing election. One more thing: you must be a member of a group to be eligible to stand in their elections.

]]>http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/07/key-skills-ive-learned-as-a-society-president/feed/0Why Your Personality Is the Key to Finding Your Ideal Professionhttp://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/05/personality-preferences/
http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/05/personality-preferences/#respondMon, 05 Mar 2018 08:57:51 +0000http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/?p=77131By Rebecca Heasman, Employability Officer, Sutton Bonington Campus Many people say that pursuing your passion is the key to finding career fulfilment and success. But have you ever stopped to think that understanding your personality preferences and characteristics could be just as important? Identifying your natural tendencies and patterns of thinking, feeling and acting is a ...

Many people say that pursuing your passion is the key to finding career fulfilment and success. But have you ever stopped to think that understanding your personality preferences and characteristics could be just as important? Identifying your natural tendencies and patterns of thinking, feeling and acting is a really good way to find the right role for you.

What do we mean by personality preferences?

A preference is what you like. For instance, you may prefer sweet popcorn to salted popcorn. This doesn’t mean that you won’t sometimes choose to eat salted popcorn, but in general, you prefer sweet. There are no right or wrong preferences, and each preference has its own strengths and challenges.

One of the best known and widely used methods for determining your personality preference is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. This is based on the work of the famous Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung. It determines what your preferences are, based on how you are likely to react and behave in different situations. For example, each of us will approach life from a different angle. We all have our own ways of making decisions and take in information differently.

Interested in finding out more about your personality preferences? Complete a questionnaire based on Jung’s theory on Workspace.

Why is it important when thinking about my career?

Not everyone is suited to working with data in the same way that not everyone is best placed in customer-facing roles. You might thrive working closely with others or work best independently. We’re all different, so it’s important to understand those differences and embrace them. Being self-aware can help you to use this knowledge to your advantage in the world of work.

Understanding your personality type and identifying where you feel most comfortable can significantly affect your career choice. It can also impact on how happy you feel at work. Extensive research suggests that people experience more job satisfaction when they can express and use their preferences in a work environment that corresponds with their attitudes and values.

For example, take this study conducted by a team of psychologists at the University of Zurich. They found that people who can apply their personal character strengths in their career experience found more enjoyment and meaning at work.

Why does it matter when I’m looking for jobs?

Employers understand the importance of personality. That’s why more and more companies are using psychometric profiling during the application process. They want to take the time to determine whether you are the right cultural fit for their business.

Why? Because they’re looking for candidates who are going to stay with them, and grow with them. They know that employees who are happiest at work perform the best. They also know that skills can be learned, but you can’t train people to change their personality. Read more about situational judgement tests here.

So, why not take some time for self-reflection this week and think about how your personality type could influence your career?

]]>http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/05/personality-preferences/feed/0How To Become a Journalist: Advice From People Who Have Made Ithttp://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/02/how-to-become-a-journalist/
http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/02/how-to-become-a-journalist/#respondFri, 02 Mar 2018 09:22:10 +0000http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/?p=65372By Laura Sage, BA Hons English (2017) The work of a journalist appears both crazy and exciting from an outsider’s perspective. Constantly situating themselves in the middle of the action, they see news unfolding as and when it happens. Journalists also create the news. They approach the world in a way that draws the interesting ...

The work of a journalist appears both crazy and exciting from an outsider’s perspective. Constantly situating themselves in the middle of the action, they see news unfolding as and when it happens.

Journalists also create the news. They approach the world in a way that draws the interesting and unique details out of any situation, and then they present it to us in a way we can understand and enjoy.

Getting into journalism can seem like a daunting task. However, at university, we are in a privileged position because we have lots of opportunities at our disposal. I attended Spotlight On: Journalism and Editing to find out more about this career path. The Spotlight On programme is really great as it gives you the opportunity to hear from real-life people who’ve made it in different professions. I got to hear insights from Sam, working at the BBC; Gur, at RealSport; and Paul, a Communications Officer for the NHS.

Here’s some interesting tips they shared on how to become a journalist:

1. Understand the current and future challenges facing the industry

The industry is rapidly changing, so future journalists must be equipped to face these changes. Print media is in decline, therefore employers are looking for candidates with a strong online presence.

How can you respond to this? Create a blog, build up a presence on social media, and get your personality out there. Our generation is at an advantage because we have grown up with the internet and innately have social media skills, but the more you can build your digital skills, such as video editing and Photoshop, the better. They also said that Facebook Live is the future of journalism.

3. Consume as much news as you can

Be interested in the different ways various news outlets present news. The more news you consume, the better a journalist you will be. Devour the papers, subscribe to them online, compare how different stories are conveyed, and also which stories different publications choose to run with. Not only will this help you develop an ear for a good story, but it will also help you to think about what kind of outlet you might like to write for.

4. Be persistent

It was rightly pointed out:

“No-one’s gonna come and knock on your door. Go and knock on their door.”

All three speakers at this event were very forward. They had made many calls and emails to various publications asking for work experience. You may be rejected a hundred times, but the hundred and first call you make, could be the one that leads to an internship.

5. Get a qualification

There are different qualifications available for the different branches of journalism. The NCTJ has information on the qualifications you can gain – some places you work will help you to gain these qualifications during your placement, but you can also seek to achieve them yourself.

After the presentation, I asked the speakers what one piece of advice would they give on how to become a journalist. They said:

“Get as much work experience as you can. Whatever you have, the employer will ask, what else?”– Paul

“You need to be self-starting – create your own experience, contact as many employers as possible. Create your own opportunities.” – Sam

]]>http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/03/02/how-to-become-a-journalist/feed/0Why You Should Be Thinking About a Placement In Your First Yearhttp://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/02/28/thinking-placement-first-year/
http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/02/28/thinking-placement-first-year/#respondWed, 28 Feb 2018 11:00:29 +0000http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/?p=66221By Bethany Ramshaw, second-year studying animal sciences As the snow continues to fall, summer may seem far away. However, that doesn’t mean it’s too soon to think about a placement. Short-term, work-experience style placements are ideal for the summer. They keep your mind working over those months away, and help you begin to build up ...

As the snow continues to fall, summer may seem far away. However, that doesn’t mean it’s too soon to think about a placement. Short-term, work-experience style placements are ideal for the summer. They keep your mind working over those months away, and help you begin to build up your CV.

I began my first work experience placement at a cat and dog shelter when I was just thirteen. Although I had to be supervised at all times, and I wasn’t allowed to do a lot of things that the older volunteers could, the experience taught me valuable skills. Already, I was learning what a full working day was like. I was taking on at least a little responsibility, which still looked good to employers half a decade later, when I was going to job interviews.

‘Work experience’ isn’t just for secondary school

The term ‘work experience’ might take you back to your school days, spending a week in a place you didn’t want to be at, feeling like a general dogsbody. However, these short-term placements are perfect for the summer and other breaks between semesters. They allow you time to enjoy your holiday and time at home, while still getting a taste of working life.

I started my second placement when I was around fourteen. I was worried I would hate it – with a placement lasting only one or two weeks, that worry goes away. You know that if you find out you don’t like it, it’s temporary. In a little while, you’ll be back at home, with plenty of time to revise for exams, catch up on reading, or heading. You’ll also have gained valuable experience you can fall back on in interviews.

Getting your placement head in gear

On the surface, finding a placement can seem daunting. A lot of companies don’t take students for insurance reasons, or because they aren’t equipped to support them – as I found during secondary school, while I was desperately hunting for more work experience – but don’t let that put you off.

First year is the perfect time to be looking for those work-experience-style placements. Do it before deadlines pile up and graduation begins to drift closer. You can beat the rush of people trying to find placements for a year in industry, or for after they graduate. You may even put yourself in contact with people and employers who would be happy to take you on again in the future.

And any kind of experience is good experience

When I attended an interview for a job at a cinema, I had no experience of working in retail or the entertainment and leisure industry. What I did have was five years worth of work experience. I’d volunteered with animals and young children on farms, and in clinical, professional environments with vets. I could relate the skills that I had learned from these placements to the questions I was asked, and I found out pretty soon after the interview that I’d gotten the job.

If you’re looking for a short term placement or work experience, begin by doing your research. Find companies in the local area that you might like to work with, and send them an email. You may get a few rejections, but there’ll be at least a few who’ll want to discuss setting you up with a one or two-week placement.

Friends and family are also a good place to look. They often have friends or other relatives who can help you get your foot in the door. For volunteering, I’ve just do-it.org to find opportunities. I’ve found an unbelievable amount of placements there, allowing me to donate my time to a company for a few days a week, and to gain valuable skills.

Placements, work experience and volunteering work are the best way to show your future employer how dedicated you are, separating you from other applicants, and it’s never too early to start. Need more convincing? Read ‘Avoid the Placement Wave’.

For more information on first year placements, check out these resources. You can also contact your department’s placement team who will be happy to talk to you about work experience. Studying with the School of Biosciences like Bethany? Contact Judith Wayte to chat about the possibility of doing a placement.

]]>http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/02/28/thinking-placement-first-year/feed/0Postgraduate Students: What’s Next?http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/02/28/postgraduate-next/
http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/02/28/postgraduate-next/#respondWed, 28 Feb 2018 07:19:56 +0000http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/?p=76651By Julie Blant, Postgraduate Careers Manager, Business School Whether you are new to the university or returning to us, you’ll know how time flies during your studies. Hopefully you’ve already given some thought to what your next step might be. If you haven’t? Don’t panic. It’s not too late to start thinking about it. As ...

Whether you are new to the university or returning to us, you’ll know how time flies during your studies. Hopefully you’ve already given some thought to what your next step might be.

If you haven’t? Don’t panic.

It’s not too late to start thinking about it. As a postgraduate student your next career move will very much depend on your skills, experience and career aspirations. Here are some pointers on how to get started.

Focus on your skills and experience

Skills and experience can come from many different activities, from employment to volunteering, education to sporting activities.

Make a list of all the skills you have gained so far. Think of specific examples of when you have used these skills as these will be useful when you are making applications and going for interviews. Which skills have you particularly enjoyed using and, just as importantly, are there skills that you don’t enjoy using? Are you making the most of your postgraduate experience to develop new, or enhance your existing skills?

Enhancing your skills during your course

As well as subject specific skills, others that you are likely to gain at taught postgraduate level include:

dealing with complex issues and solve problems

delivering demanding work within tight deadlines

applying knowledge in original and creative ways

designing and undertaking short research projects

Gaining experience and developing your skill set

In some sectors, employers will expect you to have some relevant experience. For example in teaching, media, digital marketing, publishing, arts and heritage, and laboratory experience for jobs in science. For other sectors having experience will give you opportunities to demonstrate your transferable skills, such as the ability to work under pressure, solve problems, and motivate and lead others.

Many postgraduates are able to gain work experience alongside their studies, but if this doesn’t work for you, consider organising something to start after you have handed in your dissertation. Make the most of the opportunities available to you at Nottingham:

Focus on your career aspirations

You may have a very clear idea of what you would like to do following your postgraduate course. If you’re considering a few options or don’t know what you would like to do, we have resources to support you.

Are you looking for your first professional role?

If you have studied a postgraduate qualification straight after an undergraduate degree then you may be considering a graduate training scheme or similar opportunity to begin your career.

Often employers do not differentiate between postgraduates and undergraduates either in their recruitment processes or in their salary offers so when you apply you will need to ensure that you make the most of your postgraduate experience within your applications and interviews to differentiate yourself from the competition.

To convince an employer you can ‘hit the ground running’ in a role, make the most of your additional confidence, experience and independent research skills gained through your postgraduate degree to help demonstrate your suitability.

Building on your existing professional experience

If you have more than one or two years of work experience prior to your studies, you will need to consider if you want to continue working in this area or whether you have studied at postgraduate level in order to change direction.

Staying in your existing career or industry area? Leveraging your network of contacts and being able to articulate how your postgraduate studies have enhanced your knowledge and skill-set will be key to your job search.

Looking to change direction? You need to be realistic about where you can position yourself within the new area and the impact on your remuneration. Articulating your transferable skills and new-found knowledge will be essential as well as developing new networks in your chosen area. LinkedIn is a useful tool as is our career-focused eMentoring scheme. This gives you the chance to connect with Nottingham alumni working in sectors or roles of interest to you.

Starting your own business

The University’s Ingenuity Lab is a great place to start if you are thinking of setting up your own business. The annual Ingenuity competition is a great way to test out your business ideas but you don’t have to entered to gain access to the Lab’s expertise and resources. There are lots of organisations offering advice and support and we’ve selected some key websites for you whatever your situation and stage of planning.

Taking your studies to the next level

One of your options to continue with your studies is to study a PhD which is the highest level of academic qualification in the UK. It involves three to four years of original research on a specific topic. Research degrees differ from taught degrees. You’ll be expected to:

take responsibility for your own learning – there’s no set course of study, curriculum, lectures or reading lists

work independently – there may be other researchers in your department or school, but you’ll have different specialisms, so the ‘camaraderie’ of an undergraduate or masters group will be absent

Visit our PhD webpage for advice on this option, funding streams and how to apply.

Our team are here to help you every step of the way. Book an appointment with a careers adviser if you want to talk through your plans and discuss the issues that matter to you.

]]>http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/02/28/postgraduate-next/feed/0Learning Styles: How to Recognise What You’re Great Athttp://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/02/26/learning-styles/
http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/2018/02/26/learning-styles/#respondMon, 26 Feb 2018 12:45:50 +0000http://blogs.nottingham.ac.uk/careers/?p=76441By Rebecca Luxon, Employability Officer: Science As a university student, it’s a common assumption that you spend much of your life studying in order to successfully pass rigorous and regular sets of exams. Yet, have you ever thought about how well you actually remember what that lecturer was explaining last Tuesday afternoon? Or how much ...

As a university student, it’s a common assumption that you spend much of your life studying in order to successfully pass rigorous and regular sets of exams.

Yet, have you ever thought about how well you actually remember what that lecturer was explaining last Tuesday afternoon? Or how much of your revision time in the library is spent in a productive way – with zero procrastination?

Enter, learning styles

A learning style is a preference for learning something in a particular way, and there are many theories that account for these different preferences. It’s very likely that you’ll be familiar with Neil Fleming’s VARK model, which helps you to understand whether you fall into the visual, auditory, reading/writing or kinaesthetic learning category. His model is one of the most widely used categorisations of individual learning styles. It might explain why you need to revise really hard, while your housemate soaks up everything they hear in a lecture.

Own your learning style

So, do you prefer sitting exams or do you excel at coursework? Do you like classroom-based learning or would you rather read through material in your own time?

Everyone works at their most productive in a slightly different way. Learning styles can help to explain why some people find certain tasks or situations more difficult than others. Having an awareness of your learning preferences, and where your strengths and skills lie can seriously help you gain the advantage. Particularly when making the move from university to graduate position or industry placement.

Understanding your learning style can also help you generate career ideas, by bringing together what you’re good at with what you love. To explore this further, get free access to ‘Profiling for Success’ here.

Put your best foot forward

At all stages of the recruitment process, awareness of your learning style is incredibly important. If you know, for example, that you tend to do well in one-to-one situations, then you can be confident in attending interviews. However, if you are someone who works well with others, you might do better in group exercises at an assessment centre.

Being self-aware allows you to quickly and easily draw on your skills. It helps you to prioritise where best to spend your time preparing. Ultimately, the overall aim is to stand out from the crowd and give you the edge in a competitive process.